Page 84 of Take Me Back
I don’t waste any time crossing to the bed and picking up the white linen trousers and lace camisole lying there. There’s also a diaphanous white shirt that feels like it’s made mostly of air, a lacy white bra, and white-and-gold sandals. One thing is noticeably missing.Panties.
When the door swings open moments after I’m fully dressed, it isn’t April, it’s Vander.
“Finally behaving like a good little slave. I thought I’d never see it.”
I shoot eye daggers at him, hoping he’ll see defiance and rage in my gaze and not the fear that’s threatening to overtake me.
Chapter 38
Dane
From the seat across from me, Rome fills me in on everything they’ve learned.
“There’s no Vander Iman. We’re still digging into his real identity, but the trail we’re coming up with leads to South Africa with ties to the Middle East. Bad dude. Bad shit.”
Coming from Rome, that’s saying something. He’s not real big on assessing client morals when he’s taking their money, but there are lines even he won’t cross.
“Human trafficking his main business?”
“Can’t tell for sure, but it’s definitely part of it.”
“What about the boat?”
“Sure enough, it’s calledPlan B. It was boarded by the US Coast Guard about two years ago and automatic weapons were seized, but no charges were ever brought. The paperwork on that gets real shady, and by shady, I mean there’s nothing left. If we had Arianna at the keyboard, we’d probably have more, but my Central American crew wasn’t able to pull anything. I need to recruit a new hacker down here. Preferably female and hot.”
Ever since Rome first told me that Arianna has been MIA, it’s been eating at me.
“You think Ari sold me out?”
From Rome’s serious expression, it’s definitely a possibility he’s already considered.
“We can’t find her, man. You know she’s got family in Israel still. I’ve got contacts there that keep eyes on them when they’ve got time, and word is her little sister is off the grid. No sign of her.”
Tanner sits up. “You think they went after Ari’s family, and you didn’t say shit?”
Rome shrugs. “Don’t know what happened, but I can’t fucking help the girl if she doesn’t ask for it.”
“She’s part of the team.”
“And if she leaked intel, she’ll face the consequences when we find her. But that shit is all for after we get DC’s woman back.”
“Do you know where they’re heading?”
Rome shakes his head. “But if I were them, I’d be going toward Cuba. Plenty of people pouring in now, and not a lot of oversight. It’d be a good choice. So that’s the course we’re following.”
“If you’re wrong, and we lose her—”
“You can shoot me yourself.”
Rome’s instincts are top-notch, which is why he started in this business way too young. Now, he’s a living legend in certain circles.
From the cockpit, Leo yells, “We got eyes on a big motherfucking yacht with a helipad on top by the name ofPlan B.”
My arms go tense. It’s time.
“They got eyes on us yet?”
“Not yet. We’re coming in hot. Lock and load.”
